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Herman Bavinck was a well-known, and highly
respected, dutch reformed theologian who lived from 1854-1921. His works were
influential for many of the Calvinists of the 20th century. Herman
Bavinck’s theological work has been subject to some passionate critiques from
authors such as Malcom Yarnell III.[1] In
order to understand Bavinck’s views on Natural Theology we will first explain
what he means by Natural theology, as well as its contents. We will then note a
number of important points that Bavinck notes concerning Natural Theology. For more posts on how different calvinists view Natural Theology, see here, here and here. I have never dedicated blog posts before, but this one goes out to my good friend Daniel Henderson, as he is following in the steps of Herman Bavinck. Herman Bavinck explains that when he uses the
term Natural Theology, he is referring
primarily to “the affirmation that such a natural disposition [‘a natural
disposition to proceed from the finite to the infinite, f…

John Calvin is the notorious founder
of that branch of Protestant reformed theologies which has always been one of
the most outspoken and most passion driven theological positions in the circle
of authentic Protestant theologies. John Calvin, educated in the classics, and a
true humanist, was primarily influenced by the works of Cicero, Augustine and
Plato. His view concerning the role and use of what we call Natural Theology should
not be of passing interest to the student of theology, especially because some
Calvinists of the 19th century have either denied the possibility of
Natural Theology (as in Karl Barth),[1] or
denied the use of Natural Theology in dialogues between Christians and non-Christians
(as in Cornelius Van Til).[2] On
the other hand, many of the greatest Calvinist theologians to ever write, since
Calvin himself, have stated openly that Natural Theology is not only possible
(for regenerate and unregenerate alike), but that it is a necessary part of any
tr…